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Longtime Brownsville politician Carlos Cascos has died.
Cascos, a certified public accountant, was a Republican in the deep blue Rio Grande Valley who was a political force with the ability to navigate both sides of the aisle.
Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Cascos as secretary of state in 2014. He served in that position until 2017.
Prior to that, Cascos was Cameron County judge from 2006 to 2015. He also served on the Texas Department of Public Safety Commission from 2004 to 2006.
He was also a longtime Cameron County commissioner who served from 1991 to 2002.
Cascos was born on Sept. 18, 1952 in Matamoros and immigrated to the United States with his family as a child. He was raised in Brownsville.
Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. said he was deeply saddened and truly sorry to learn of Cascos’ passing.
“For decades, Judge Cascos was a fixture in our community, serving selflessly as a volunteer, then as an appointed and elected official,” he said in a statement. “As a certified public accountant, fiscal matters, most memorably being fiscally conservative, were always priorities of Judge Cascos while he served both as a County Commissioner and County Judge.”
Treviño offered his heartfelt condolences to Cascos’ family, his colleagues as Cascos & Associates CPA and all his friends and others impacted by his death.
“Let us reflect and remember Judge Cascos for all the positive impacts he made towards the betterment of Cameron County, the Rio Grande Valley and the State of Texas for which we are thankful. May he rest in peace,” he said.
Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez said in a statement that he was shocked and saddened at Cascos’ death, describing the former official as a dear friend.
“As a former Cameron County Judge, a former Cameron County Commissioner and a former Texas Secretary of State, Carlos embodied public service and served faithfully not only the people of Cameron County, but the Rio Grande Valley and the state of Texas as well,” Cortez said. “Hidalgo County sends its prayers to Carlos’s family.”
Brownsville Mayor John Cowen also offered his condolences in a social media post.
“I woke up this morning to the sad news of Carlos Cascos’ passing,” Cowen wrote. “I share my profound condolences to his wife, Candy, and his daughters, Cassandra and Andrea. Carlos had a substantial impact on our region as Cameron County Judge and as Secretary of State of Texas, and he will be greatly missed.”
Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda also offered her condolences in a social media post.
“I’m deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Carlos Cascos,” Sepulveda wrote. “My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Carlos.”
Brownsville City Commissioner Pedro Cardenas confirmed Cascos’ death on Facebook early Thursday morning.
“I am saddened by the news of Judge Carlos Cascos’ passing. He was a powerful advocate for the city of Brownsville and all of Cameron County, always ready to listen and offer me advice without hesitation. My prayers are with his family and friends. May he rest in peace,” Cardenas wrote.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new information.
